Woman with Headscarf
1882
Gustav Wentzel’s energetic sketch from 1882 captures a woman in profile, bundled up in a heavy headscarf and long dress that drapes all the way to the floor. The loose, scratchy lines suggest he was working quickly to capture a fleeting moment of rural life, a hallmark of the Realist movement which focused on ordinary people. You can see his initials 'G.W.' and the date scribbled in the bottom corner, giving it a personal, diary-like feel. The large brown stain at the bottom adds a touch of accidental history to this realistic study of everyday fashion.